Food Circle
Stories (15/0)
Food Waste Around the World
Hi Leone! What do you know about the situation regarding food waste in Italy? Is it a big problem there? I believe, in some places, this issue is worse than in others. In Italy, there is a big problem with food waste as it has one of the most developed economies. We have a surplus of food, but also of general waste. However, there are many compulsory programmes related to the redistribution of food surplus in most of the supermarkets and food chains. So from what I know, most supermarket chains and direct food chains have specific plans to bring this food to particular locations where it can be used. For example, they work with home shelters quite a lot and have many dining halls catering to poor people. These entities do not pay for the food, so make good meals that would have otherwise been dumped by the supermarkets. There is also frozen food that simply melts, and gets wasted. For example, ice cream left outside of the freezer for too long cannot be sold as it cannot be re-frozen as it wouldn’t be an entirely new product. Since it cannot be redeployed or eaten directly, sellers give it for free to those who cannot afford to eat. In this way, supermarkets try to show that they do not make waste and do something to contribute to society. However, in my opinion, they are not trying to make an actual social impact but simply improve their image. There is a complete circle where food is not wasted as leftovers are not treated well in Italy. It is essential not to waste food but we still do it a lot.
By Food Circle3 years ago in Feast